USAF 58 WRS Martin B-57C Canberra

Additional Information:

The Martin B-57 Canberra is an American-built, twin-engine tactical bomber and reconnaissance aircraft that entered into service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1953. The B-57 is a license-built version of the British English Electric Canberra, manufactured by the Glenn L. Martin Company. Initial Martin-built models were virtually identical to their British-built twinjet counterparts but Martin later modified the design to incorporate larger quantities of US-sourced components and produced the aircraft in several variants. The B-57 Canberra holds the distinction of being the first jet bomber in U.S. service to drop bombs during combat. The B-57C variant is a dual-control trainer and its first flight was on December 30, 1954. A total of 38 were eventually built.

The 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force squadron. It was last assigned to the 9th Weather Reconnaissance Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, where it was inactivated in 1974.

The squadron was reactivated in 1963 at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, assuming the assets of the discontinued 1211th Test Squadron. The squadron was equipped with twelve RB-57F Canberra (later WB-57F) reconnaissance aircraft. The 58th WRS was the last squadron in the Air Force to use the WB-57F Canberra and was inactivated on July 1, 1974 after placing its planes in storage at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

The 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron utilized the B-57 aircraft for atomic weapons testing evaluation and for detection of radioactive particles in the upper atmosphere. Many changes were made to the B-57 wing design during its operational life. All models and variants of the B-57 were assigned to Kirtland AFB throughout the years including the B-57C model in 1966.

Photos show the B-57B and C model aircraft that were based at Kirtland AFB.

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